This review may contain spoilers
instant mood booster
the first two weeks of new year was pretty rough for me and i was looking for something very light and hilarious to distract me from everything and to my surprise, welcome to waikiki is the perfect drama to make you choke from laughter at 3 am and let your worries be washed away as every episode is nonsensically funny.there was not a single character that is squeaky clean or perfect, no barbie-like or ken-like type of characters. everyone is a mess and relatable i love it. the comedy can be quite over the top but it somehow works and the timing is done just right for such comedic scenarios. it's nothing clever but it's definitely entertaining and binge worthy.
what fell short for me is yoon ah's character and the useless love triangle. i didn't like the way they made dong goo jealous and interfere in yoon ah's relationship with hyun joon because while hyun joon did have feelings for yoon ah, i felt like the two were sort of going through a similar situation and it would've been nice to see them have more conversations. yoon ah didn't get much or any character development at all. she's just there because she's sol's mom and to bring in last minute drama with sol's dad which could've been discussed in the earlier episodes if the love triangle deal was shortened. in my opinion, the ending was a bit rushed.
nevertheless, this drama will hold a special place in my heart and the urge to rewatch is high. gwenchana gwenchana, pals.
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I had some problems with the first two episodes because some of the comedy felt forced and the introduction of some characters felt more irritating than funny (I had a feed discussion with some users on MDL and they say it's more of a cultural pet peeve, so I was able to get past it and let it slide).
I do think the real fun began from episode 3 onwards, where middle parts of the drama were the funniest, and with the extension of four episodes the last three episodes did feel like it was lacking in that rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-my-ass-off humourous impact, but that by no means takes away the enjoyability of the drama overall.
At the end of the day, I was able to easily forgive and bypass these small parts which probably did not match up to the funniest parts of the drama because most of the time, the comedy is so on-point and incredibly well done/played out. I have also seen some behind-the-scene footages of the late shows by Fallon/Corden and Colbert (USA night time talk show hosts) and was able to be more understanding that coming up with the ideas that makes a skit/joke genuinely funny is not an easy feat at all, so really all props here to the writers, directors and creative team staffs. Many of the scenarios that literally made us laugh out loud so hard are incredibly original and unique; it's really not easy to brainstorm these ideas in such a short period of time.
All the lead actors have done a really fantastic job at playing their characters. [add more here]
The BGMs are really great and fit the overall mood of the story, and this drama overall is incredibly rewatchable.
Literally a masterpiece, because they have made a Season 2 out of this, but the fact that only Lee Yi Kyung was able to reprise his role just made this statement official because the original casts are truly irreplaceable, especially baby Sol.
I am completely unhesitant to give this drama full marks because the joy of watching this easily surpassed watching any typical rom-com out there. It's a real comedy-drama with interesting love lines on the side. Definitely a must watch K-Drama of your lifetime. Enjoy!
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I really hope people will watch and they will have a better day after it as I did.
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Spell C-O-M-E-D-Y, this is it!
This is what a COMEDY should be! Almost every single episode will make your jaw hurt from laughing! All the characters are extremely hilarious especially Joon-ki! He was the top actor for me for this series. He's extremely funny yet very sweet and caring in his own ways. The love story part is so light that it was overpowered by the comedy-part.This show is more on comedy rather than the romance. That even the romance part is still hilarious. Though i must admit that the first few scenes almost made me stop watching it, but i was glad that i didn't because i would have regretted it extremely! After the 1st few scenes it was non-stop laughter!
If you want to feel good and forget all your worries and just be happy, this is the perfect korean series for you!
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Loved:
Comedy: The comedy was fantastic in this. I laughed out loud, at least once an episode, if not multiple. I don't typically laugh in dramas, so this is a huge plus for me. BUT, it is an acquired taste, comedy wise. My best friend, is more serious and logical, and I don't think would appreciate this sort of comedy. I on the other hand, love exaggerated comedy, and find ridiculous situations hilarious. I also have been known to laugh at body-related humor, another thing said friend doesn't appreciate. I would say if you love ridiculous situations and body humor, to go for this drama. If that's not your thing, don't go near it lol. This drama is heavily focused on comedy.
Satire: Comedy is good and all, but this drama often makes use of the comedy to point out faults in society. Something I for one appreciate. Many topics are covered here. Gambling, pressures of acting, college life, etc. The satire in this made me laugh a lot, but also made me think. Talk about on point satire, if you ask me.
Joon Ki: As many others have stated, Joon Ki, is in fact hilarious. The actor playing him does a really good of just bringing his character quirks to life. He comes across as hilarious, but not over the top. Something I've noticed many other actors struggle with. Joon Ki is definitely a gem in the comedy world.
Female Leads: Yoon Ah, Seo Jin, and Soo Ah, are quite amazing. They were all very different and unique, and added a special something to the show. While I wasn't sure about all of them at first, they grew on me, and by the end I was quite enjoying them. It's nice to see three totally different but amazing females come together and be friends in kdramas.
Feel-good: This drama just gave such wholesome vibes. Definitely a drama to watch if you're feeling down. Not only is it comedic, but it has some very touching moments. Had me grinning all throughout.
Didn't Like:
*would say hate, but I didn't hate anything in this show lol*
Dong Gu: Funny thing is, I originally came for the actor who plays Dong Gu. I'm finding I enjoyed his character in School 2017 a lot more. Now I don't hate Dong Gu, but I don't love him either. He starts out pretty good. Hilarious, immature, but still a good guy. In the middle tho, he just comes off really childish. Like an unhealthy amount of childishness. Even too childish for this drama. Which says a lot. He gets really petty with Yoon Ah, and it just made me slightly uncomfortable how incredibly petty he was over the love triangle. Again, I don't really hate him. He did have his sweet moments, and he could be quite hilarious. But his character got annoying a bit in the middle. I liked him in the beginning and end though. There he was as stated before.
Doo Shik: Doo Shik was sorta meh to me. He was funny at times, and his relationship with Joon Ki is too precious! But his countless romances were annoying. And sorta creepy...though I think that was the point. I think they were trying to make fun of guys who get way too attached to girls too easily, through Doo Shik. Anyway, he wasn't awful! Even his cringey romances were sorta funny at times, and sometimes downright hilarious. He just wasn't my personal favorite.
Character Development: I felt like there wasn't much personal development in many of the characters (not all), until like episode 18/20. BUT, this development was done naturally enough, and didn't cause me to roll my eyes. Just wish it happened sooner, or the drama was longer haha.
Overall, this drama was really good, and I would definitely recommend it! The things I didn't like, were more like slight annoyances. FYI, the reason the story is so low, is because it's not story based. It's more of a sitcom. One of the best korean sitcoms I've ever seen! Was worth it!
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The casts are amusing!
Episode 1 was boring, I just tried my best to continue it because I was in a drama slump. I was about to drop it but when I watched the episode 2, I laughed really hard.The casts were all humorous! Anyways I love the storyline, it is simply stupid but it fits since it's comedy genre. That kept me at the edge, I kept binge-watching it because all characters were amazingly funny.
Ofcourse I've been at the time where it constantly cringing me but I guess it's part of a comedy genre.
The couples inside the guesthouse are really amusing. I was hysterically laughing watching every scenes, call me an overacting but this series made my day.
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Best sitcom/comedy drama I've watched. The drama never fails to made me laugh every episode.Like there was no dull or boring episode for me. Every episode is really worth to watch.The writer-nim and staffs were being so extra and the actors doing it is being pro.
I love the whole drama and crying my heart out now I finished it. Sometimes it made me cry especially on the last episode. And sometimes it made me touched. From casts,OSTs,every episode, famous lines, couples. Everything. Didn't expect so many funny plot twists,couples,cameos from many actoes and efforts of the actors especially Lee Yi Kyung. And some parodies from other dramas.
I'll always remember those famous lines "Gwaenchana, gwaenchana" "Let's go! Let's do it!" "Chewbacca" "Bacca" "You will no longer be alive" the long "yooooooooooo" of Jun Ki.
It already has a special place in my heart uwu
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This review may contain spoilers
1. Very Funny dramaI laughed real hard while watching this drama. I must say that this is good for those people who wants to break their bad mood haha! What I laugh the most is Lee Jon-ki he is way hilarious than the two HAHA.
2. I feel kinda they are over reacted
I just skipped a second of the scenes that they got too much over reacted just like Kang Dong-gu becomes jealous of Yoon-A being with another guys. I just don't like it. There are other scenes also that they just got over reacted, But I understand it though because these guys are immature and they are kinda three idiots XD
3. There are scenes that makes me barf
There are scenes I want to close my eyes because I want to barf!I remember at the first episode Kang Dong-gu while sleeping, he ate something bad haha and also Lee Jon-ki taste something while he's been acting that he is a killer.
4. All of them have a good chemistry
Most of the people don't like the chemistry but I loved it! I love the actors and the actresses they are so beautiful,cute and handsome! I can feel the butterflies in my stomach haha lol! These is one of the reasons why I still continue watching it!
5. The ending
The ending is cute! It's a happy ending but still it lacks for me... I wan't sol will be grow up and I want to see how the cast have grown many years later. I want Bong Doo Shik and Min Soo Ah have more date scene and more cute scenes together.
6. Kang Dong-gu
I was so shocked that he is alberto in crash landing on you! He is way different in CLOY, I didn't noticed him at first when my friend told me that he is Alberto I was shocked lol! He is the great actor! I love Kim Jung Hyun <3 <3
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Who knew life's trials could be so funny.
After watching Mr. Queen, it's been quite a while since I watched anything else that would make me laugh just as much. Here comes Waikiki, and it doesn't disappoint. With each episode, it explores many situations that life can bring in a very funny way, all while developing the plot. Waikiki was an enjoyable and very entertaining watch. Props to the actors and direction that sold me on the silliness.Was this review helpful to you?
Eulachacha Waikiki is one of the best comedy dramas I've seen
To put it simply.............With the comedy I think in the middle of the story this show become a little boring . It had 20 episodes which is why sometimes it will feel boring . Some part of the story was not needed and some part made me lose the interest for watching the show . But I liked the fact they didn't rush the ending . But if you can bear with it I think this show will definitely make you laugh until you vomit .At least that is what has happened to me . It's not the best drama but it is indeed a great drama . All I can say is this is a show with overflowing comedy with some real life lessons....
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KDramas Second Best Attempt At Comedy
Season 1The drama did a great job in blending humor and heart, creating an enjoyable mix with a lively dynamic, for the most part. The comedy was sharp and varied, ranging from slapstick to witty banter, however, this didn't apply for every segment and joke. Some of these went on for too long or weren't interesting in the slightest, these were also more present in the 2nd half than the first one. Nonetheless, not only the drama had great humor but also had a progressing story that fit right in. The dynamic chemistry among the cast enhanced the comedic timing, while the well-paced storyline balanced these moments with memorable scenes. Speaking of dynamics, Doo Shik remained a sidekick and a third wheel in every situation and scene, he was never a lead and always the weakest link, even the actor himself. The drama should've wrote him better to fit the dynamic rather than having a wasted slot. Anyway, it's an enjoyable fun watch for what it had to offer. However, I highly advise against watching season 2.
Season 2
In comparison, season 2 was a complete utter failure in all regards, however, as a stand alone drama, it was a passable cheap inoffensive forgettable watch, for the most part. It failed miserably to capture the same magic that made the first season so endearing. The second season felt like a pale imitation, struggling to find its footing. One major issue was the lack of continuity in the cast, with many beloved characters and dynamics from the first season absent with no worthy replacements. This shift disrupted the chemistry and dynamic that were crucial to the show's initial charm. The new characters, while sometimes amusing, didn't bring the same level of depth, humor and relatability, resulting in a series of forced and often flat comedic moments. Speaking of comedy, the writing in season 2 leaned heavily on repetitive gags and clichéd scenarios, lacking the creativity and originality that kept the first season fresh and engaging. Not to mention its poor job in recycling some of the gags and scenarios, as well as most of the romances and its archetypes from season 1. Seriously shameful! The brief storylines were disjointed, and the emotional moments that once balanced the humor now came across as contrived and artificial. The romantic relationships, while they never were the main focus, were really stupid and tasteless. The pacing also suffered, with episodes dragging without the slightest engaging interplay of humor and character moments that previously defined the show. Second season tried to replicate the success of its predecessor but fell quite short, the charm, wit, and warmth that made the first season a hit were noticeably missing. I highly advise watching S1 and ignoring S2.
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Don’t expect too much tough. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t have epic plot, it’s just simple as it is and it’s a solid piece of sitcom laugh.
The main strength that I noticed from the very beginning are the characters. We have a bunch of amazingly written unique personas that are not without the flaws, but it makes them even more relatable. And even if you’re not aspiring actor or a bearded woman, you’ll quickly feel in guesthouse Waikiki just like home.
And a laugh part? This drama has one of the most ridiculous humour that I’ve seen in a while. It has everything to make you at least smile like crazy. It’s a bit more balanced humour than I’ve seen in Sound of Your Heart (since that seems like a closest comparison from the drama that I’ve watched) but still manages to provide some fart jokes. So if you’re not into crude humour, you should still watch it, but maybe squint from time to time. Take a break, you know.
This drama doesn’t really have a main character. There’s not really main couple, everyone will find something to their liking and I think that’s a very strong side of this series. It’s just about pure enjoyment, and when you don’t really like one of the characters? No worries, there’s still plenty to choose from.
Also, pacing. That’s what this drama is doing great. All of twenty episodes are divided into two stories each. So the pace is really good, you hardly feel the passing of time and suddenly you need to click this “watch next episode” button.
Acting? Perfect, I haven’t seen one bad actor here, even characters that appear in one episodes are truly fantastically played (nearly deaf sound technician? Count me in, I want to see more of this story!). The main group of characters are partially played by actors that I already knew and they certainly delivered.
Overall that was a nice breath of fresh air in my drama schedule. I’m not regretting adding it to my list.
And in those tough times it brings very important message, that everything is gonna be gwenchana, gwenchana…
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